Following the viral video of the horrifying incident in Manipur on 4 May, where two women were stripped and paraded by a mob, more than 600 Meiteis have fled Mizoram out of fear of being targeted, as stated by a senior police officer on Thursday.
Superintendent of Police, Crime Investigation Department, Special Branch, Vanlaltaka Ralte, informed PTI that the Meiteis left Mizoram in apprehension of potential attacks after an ex-militant organization issued a warning in response to the widely circulated video showing the disgraceful incident in Manipur.
The situation was further intensified by a solidarity march organized by various civil society groups on Tuesday. The Meiteis reportedly felt insecure and uneasy due to the march, exacerbating their concerns about safety in Mizoram.
According to Ralte, the exodus of Meiteis continued until Tuesday, with over 600 people having left for their home states. However, as of Wednesday, no further reports of Meitei people leaving Mizoram were received.
Contrary to the official statement, All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA) Vice President Rambir asserted that Meitei people were still leaving Mizoram as of Thursday. He emphasized that more than 3,000 Meiteis, mainly teachers, students, and workers, were residing in the state.
On Tuesday, the NGO Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organizations, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), organized massive protest rallies in different parts of the state expressing solidarity with the Kuki-Zo ethnic community in Manipur.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his deputy Tawnluia, ministers, and legislators cutting across party lines also took part in solidarity protest rally in Aizawl.
The police stated that there is no report of any untoward incident since the solidarity march.